Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-05-08

imagined it 30 late, What did the fel-
low mean by disturbing people at such
an hour ?
"By Jove I" he exclaimed. 81 had
no idea ii was that time OF night
alt is rather late" observed, pro-
cceding to wind up my watch. BIT
hints were thrown away upon Brisbane.
He leaned back in his chair and looked
agPravatingly comfortable. He was
net bad-looking little fellow. Women,
believe, usually considered him hand
some; Jennie said she did. ], on the
contrary, had no pretcnsions TO good
looks at all. But ! was considerably
his superior in height and build, for l
exceeded the five feet ten allowed to
be the ordinary height Of men by at
least two inches. and was broad in pro-
potion. Brisbane was slimly bait
and barely stood five feet six.
Your wife is sweet little woman,
WIS my guests next rcmark-"a very
sweet little woman, You are a lucky
fellow, Talbot. hope you make her
a good husband"
was conscious OF a raging desire to
kick the fellow out OF the room. re-
strained myself with difficulty and
gazcd at linn with naughty displeasure
and coutCm. t. lie was not looking at
me. however, and presently went on
mcdi'o;iyely-
"Ah, jennie and / were a great deal
20 C9Ch otner-On once. | was hard hit, |
ccn tel you.
Zoe The fellow stopped and sighed.
] sat in specifies indignation, while
be continued
Poor bepgars Ike me have small
chonce against you fellows with rent
IclIs os long as your arm. You always
cut in before us. The almighty dollar
generally ranks before anything else
with woman, worse luck. 1t was
toss.up between us. and You won-at
least your dollars did
A laroxvsm of rage and amazement
riotcd within me. Was the fellow mad
or drunk ? / laid down my meerschaum
and looked at him for moment in in
frriated silence. He met my gaze
calmly and steadily.
"Do Nou mean to imply, Mr.. Brls-
bnnc," ] sail, as soon as 1 could speak,
"that ny wife preferred you to me,
and only married me because OF my
worldly position
you've about hit it," he answered
laconically.
rose to my feet and leaned against
the manteipicce.
You ere an Internal liar !" | said
slowly and distinctly.
lie rose also. lie had turned per
fcctly white. His eyes flashed.
"Comc. Talbot" he said very quiet
", but till with that ominOus light in
his eyes. lyon have gone too far
tbs time. Take bacl, your words Or
take back your words, said
through my shut teeth, cor | swear J.
viii I'LL gu !"
Il slall take back nothing" he re-
tuned tiorccly. "Nay, moro. Your
wife was engaged to me when you pro-
posed go her. She broke off her en-
casomou; to ne at her fathers bidding,
Int She loved me. She cried her heart
out in Ely arms the day before her
v,dGiur-dav. Make what you like Of
that. Won self sufficient fool Aye, and
/ She loves mc now, She
damn YOU! /" broke in violently.
IN another moment my hand WAS on
| hs throat, my brain rcelcd, Il red cloud
swan before my eyes ] shook him
/ Ike dog ana flung him violently to
1 the ground. As lie fell his head struck
with dull horrible sound on a sharp
corner OF the fender.
With clenched hands and laborine
breath ! stood over him, waiting for
f lin to rise. Eut he dld not rise. The
blow had stunned him. Aye-it had
done more
There was a pause-how long know
not-dming which a chastity silence
IGencd.
Then | Lrelt down beside him and
said homscly "Brisbane are yon
hut? Fer Gods sake speak - Fol
ms evts wore wide open. sun he iay
there. mauswcrng, motlonless. /
raised his head and saw that there was
snail thrcc-cclnercd wound lu.
above his left temple. Ny frantic ct
fo,ts 10 restore HIM were in vain. II
was useless TO chaic his hands, to pou
brandy between lis lips, for me wa
dead : iclt lis heart, his wrist
Heat and pulse were still Dead
NUciiul powers. Was 1 murderer
then?
? staggered t. my feet and locked tn
door Thcn l sat down at the tabi
and hid my face in my hands, frozen
with a deadly numbing horror.
The house was quite still the pon
dtrous tick of the antique clock vhic!
stood in tie hail was plainly audible II
the silence. The wind had died down
and at intervals so5bod rit.uliy a. 'h
casemtnt and in the chimney. hear'
NV wife Come 10 the door and turn tn
handle. "G,orge 80 I heard her say
"Ccorce-lot ne in 80 But told ne
20 90 avay-that did not wish to b
disturbed. My voice. even 10 myself
sounded far away apd hollow
"Gcorgel" her entreating vmc
-0unded again through the Stiffness
q" Goorgo-opcn the door ,
Fnt did not answer, and present,
lcard her cross the hall and the ech
of her footsteps die away upon tn
taircaSc. :,
= at tferc for an hour longer. N
ov,s. msouetzcd, rested on the st!
Goure AMI pale features Of my victim
ME horror felt had now merged Itsc
into phastly tear. Slowly rea!izs
what lad done what ! must st!ll DC
Tbr.c courses were opento me. Nmc
should choose?
Explain that iLe affair was the resH
( of IN aca1,nt-that Brisbane h'
stun bed. fallen, and in 50 doing T,
c,iv,d the blow which had unhappii
moved fatal? 40. The time whic
r led elap,od without my giving tn
alarm and since death had take
Ilace-our quarrel in the club thatv2r
d.v-mv w,ll-known dislike OF him
! oU would tell against me. GIVE ml
: ~clf mn. then? Break Jennie's heart
, blight NY career foreyer-stand III
: ,,igl for murder? Never What courS
, / then remained -
Only one. must get nd oil u
body!
Ay-but how?
Sick and dizzy, l rose to my lee
+ and Ms did SO Sudden insplrato
! flashed across my mind. The portmal
. toau 1t should conceal my crime
, =. e-..,,o1 ca mo bV the light of q